Pascal Bideau’s second album as Akusmi is infused with feelings of wonder and delight, and dashed with fleeting touches of humour and charm. The record is at the same time energetic but pensive, exciting but foreboding, taking the listener through a narrative arc of marvel and adventure.
Opening track ‘A Waking Dream’ starts with ethereal and dream-like piano, harp and sax passages, reminiscent of a flowing river; aquatic and sparkly, with some slightly murky elements in the lower ends. Once the rhythmical percussion and wind instruments kick in, however, the listener is transported with a sense of forward movement, making it the perfect opener for what appears to be a riveting musical journey. This leads into subsequent track ‘Anima’, an invigorating…